Take Action: Thank President Obama for the César E. Chávez National Monument

In another move that provides permanent protection of our federal lands and honors our cultural heritage, last week the Obama administration named the newest national monument. The César E. Chávez National Monument in California joins the collection of special places honored under the Antiquities Act and ensures that the economic benefits of national parks -- job creation, heritage tourism, education, tax credits, and preservation initiatives will support communities in California's Central Valley and beyond.

A huge crowd gathered in Charleston, West Virginia, this past Sunday for the memorial service honoring long-time mountaintop-removal coal fighter Larry Gibson. Many Sierra Club staff and supporters were in attendance, and Beyond Coal Campaign Director Mary Anne Hitt spoke at the event.

The natural gas industry has its sights on its next target: the Sunshine State. Thankfully, clean energy advocates are standing up to the idea of fracking Florida.

"It's a horrible idea," Jon Ullman, Everglades coordinator for the Florida Sierra Club. "Floridians have been very clear that they don't want to expand oil drilling and they don't want drilling in the Everglades. Oil and gas drilling have huge environmental consequences."

Wind-energy supporters wrote to the governor, engaged beach-goers with kite flying, helped kids make pinwheels, and talked up offshore wind energy and its job-creating potential in interviews with local newspapers and television stations.